Wiper arm for cleaning a vehicle window

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a wiper arm (10; 10a-10d) for cleaning a vehicle window, with a carrier element (11), which is able to be connected at a first end region at least indirectly with a drive shaft and at another end region with a wiper blade (1), and with an additional element (30) connected with the carrier element (11), which additional element (30) extends in longitudinal direction of the wiper arm. It is provided according to the invention that the additional element (30) has at least one air guide section (166, 167), extending in longitudinal direction of the wiper arm (10; 10a-10d), which at least one air guide section (166, 167) projects beyond the underside (168) of the carrier element (11) on the side facing the vehicle window.

PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a wiper arm for cleaning a vehicle window asper the preamble of claim 1. A wiper arm of said type such as is knownfrom practice has, for example, a carrier element in the form of a wiperarm rod, on the top side of which there is arranged a spoiler element.The spoiler element, which is composed for example of plastic, servesfor increasing the contact pressure on a wiper blade connected to thewiper arm in particular at relatively high speeds, in order that, evenat the relatively high speeds, lifting of the wiper blade from thevehicle window is prevented. In particular, it is sought in this way topermit reliable cleaning of the vehicle window even at relatively highvehicle speeds. Even though a spoiler element of said type such as isknown from practice exhibits the desired characteristics with regard toits action, its fastening to the wiper arm arranged on the side oppositethe wiper blade has the effect that the structural height is increased,which can possibly lead to the driver's view being obstructed.Furthermore, an arrangement of said type also exhibits increased airresistance.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from the presented prior art, it is the object of theinvention to further develop a wiper arm for cleaning a vehicle windowas per the preamble of claim 1 such that the abovementioneddisadvantages of the prior art are avoided.

Said object is achieved according to the invention with a wiper arm forcleaning a vehicle window having the characterizing features of claim 1,in that the additional element connected to the carrier element or tothe wiper arm rod has at least one air guide section, extending inlongitudinal direction of the wiper arm, which at least one air guidesection projects beyond the underside of the carrier element on the sidefacing the vehicle window.

Such an arrangement or design of the additional element thus does notgive rise to an increase of the structural height of the wiper arm onthe side facing away from the wiper blade. Furthermore, by way of acorresponding design of the air guide section, an increase of thepressing force of the wiper arm in the direction of the vehicle windowis achieved.

Advantageous refinements of the wiper arm according to the invention forcleaning a vehicle window are specified in the subclaims. The scope ofthe invention encompasses all combinations of at least two featuresdisclosed in the claims, in the description and/or in the figures.

An embodiment is very particularly preferred in which two air guidesections are provided which are arranged parallel to one another.

Targeted air guidance in the region of the additional element can berealized by virtue of the air guide sections being constructed so as tohave different heights, such that in relation to a direction of travel,on the front side of the wiper arm, the air guide section projectsfurther from the underside of the carrier element than the air guidesection on the rear side of the wiper arm. In other words, this meansthat the two air guide sections are constructed so as to be of differentheights.

The flow characteristics of the wiper arm can furthermore be optimizedif the air guide sections, in a transition region to the carrier elementto the outer side, terminate in a surface-flush manner with the carrierdement.

The contact pressure on the wiper arm or on the wiper blade connected tothe wiper arm can be regulated by virtue of the air guide sections beingarranged, at least on the regions projecting from the underside of thecarrier element, at an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinalplane of the wiper arm or with respect to a vertical.

A further optimization of the additional element with regard to flowprovides that the additional element has a substantially U-shaped crosssection with a base section which connects the two air guide sections,and that through-openings are formed in the base section. Air flowinginto the region of the additional element can flow off in an upwarddirection through said through-openings. For this purpose, in a furtherembodiment or refinement of the invention, it is provided that thethrough-openings on the additional element are aligned with openings onthe carrier element.

A very particularly preferred embodiment of the additional element,which assigns an additional task to said additional element, providesthat the air guide sections on the side facing the vehicle window have amount for the form-fitting receiving of a hose carrying a cleaningfluid.

In a refinement of the latter proposal, it is provided that the hose hasat least one, preferably several spray openings for a cleaning fluid. Inthis way, it is possible, via the spray openings formed on the hose, forcleaning fluid to be applied to the vehicle window directly in front ofthe wiper blade, in order to improve or optimize the cleaning action.

In an embodiment which is particularly preferred from a productionaspect, it is provided that the additional element consists of plasticand is connected with the carrier element by a snap-on connection.

Finally, in a refinement of the additional element described thus far,it is provided that, on the side facing the wiper blade, a cleaningarrangement, connected to the carrier element and with at least onespray nozzle, directly adjoins the additional element.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will emergefrom the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiments andon the basis of the drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a wiper device for cleaning vehicle windows in aperspective view,

FIG. 2 shows the constituent parts of the cleaning arrangement as perFIG. 1 in a perspective exploded illustration,

FIG. 3 shows the region between a fastening arrangement for the wiperblade and a cleaning arrangement of the wiper device in a plan view,

FIG. 4 shows a view in the direction of the arrows IV-IV of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5

and

FIG. 6 each show, in different perspective views, the cleaningarrangement and a subregion of the wiper arm in the case of a connectionbetween the cleaning arrangement and the wiper arm by way of a bayonetconnection,

FIG. 7

and

FIG. 8 each show a subregion of the wiper arm and a cleaningarrangement, wherein the cleaning arrangement is connected to the wiperarm by way of an engagement connection, in each case in a perspectiveview,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a cleaning arrangement and of asubregion of a wiper arm, in the case of which the cleaning arrangementis slid into the wiper arm,

FIG. 10 shows the fastening region of the wiper blade to the wiper armin a perspective illustration,

FIG. 11 shows a view from below of the cleaning arrangement of FIG. 10in a perspective illustration,

FIG. 12 shows the cleaning arrangement in a further perspectiveillustration, wherein the cleaning arrangement can be closed by way of aseparate closure cap,

FIG. 13 is an illustration, in longitudinal section, of ducts which arearranged in the cleaning arrangement as per FIG. 12 for the purposes ofguiding a heating wire,

FIG. 14 shows the cleaning arrangement as per FIG. 12 with closure capmounted thereon in a perspective view,

FIG. 15 shows a cross section through the wiper arm in the region of twoliquid hoses with spray openings formed therein,

FIG. 16 shows the wiper device as per FIG. 1 in a further, partiallysectional or cutaway perspective illustration,

FIG. 17 shows, in a perspective detail illustration, an auxiliaryelement in the form of a spray body arranged within the wiper arm,

FIG. 18 shows a cross section through the region of the wiper arm as perFIG. 10,

FIG. 19 is an illustration of the wiper arm head of the wiper arm,

FIG. 20 shows a view from below of the wiper arm head as per FIG. 19 ina perspective illustration,

FIG. 21

and

FIG. 22 show the wiper as head in each case in a perspectiveillustration from different perspectives, and

FIG. 23

to

FIG. 25 show a part of the fastening arrangement of the wiper blade andthe cleaning arrangement in a perspective illustration during variousmounting steps.

Identical elements or elements of identical function are denoted in theFigures by the same reference designations.

FIG. 1 illustrates, in a perspective illustration, a wiper device 100for cleaning a vehicle window (not shown), in particular a front windowof the vehicle. The wiper device 100 has a wiper blade 1 which is inparticular in the form of a so-called that wiper blade. The wiper blade1 is fastened exchangeably to a wiper arm 10. The wiper arm 10 comprisesan elongate wiper arm rod 11 which is composed of metal or plastic andwhich acts as a carder element and which is fastened pivotably, by wayof a pin 12 and a sleeve 13 (FIG. 2), to a wiper arm head 14, which iscomposed in particular of aluminium (alternatively plastic). The wiperarm head 14 has, on the side averted from the wiper arm carrier 11, athrough-opening 15 for the purposes of fastening the wiper arm head 14rotationally conjointly to a wiper shaft (not shown) which is connectedat least indirectly to a wiper bearing or to a wiper motor. The wiperarm head 14 is mounted so as to be pivotable about a wiper arm axis 17and is, at least in the region of the through-opening 15, covered by aclosure cap 16.

The wiper arm rod 11 has, over its entire length, a substantiallyU-shaped cross section with a top side 18 and with two side was 19, 20which project approximately at right angles from the top side 16 in thedirection of the vehicle window. As viewed in the longitudinal directionof the wiper arm rod 11, said wiper arm rod forms, on the side avertedfrom the wiper arm head 14, a mount or a first mount region 21 for thefastening of the wiper blade 1, this being adjoined in the direction ofthe wiper arm head 14 by a second mount region 22. An elongated mouldedpart which is composed of plastic and which is in the form of a spraybody 30 is arranged within the second mount region 22. As can be seenfrom FIG. 1, the spray body 30 laterally terminates approximately flushwith the two side walls 19, 20 of the wiper arm carrier 11. Furthermore,the spray body 30 projects, below the two side walls 19, 20, out of thesecond mount region 22 of the wiper arm rod 11.

Furthermore, within the second mount region 22, in particular within thecross section of the spray body 30, there are arranged two cleaninghoses 31, 32 (FIG. 2) which serve for the supply of cleaning fluid. Thetwo cleaning hoses 31, 32 are arranged within the spray body 30 onopposite longitudinal sides of the wiper blade 1.

Within the first mount region 21 of the wiper arm rod 11, there isreceived a cleaning arrangement 40 which is in the form of a separatecomponent composed of plastic. In particular, the cleaning arrangement40 is arranged on that end region of the wiper arm rod 11 or of thewiper arm 10 which is averted from the wiper arm head 14. The fasteningof the cleaning arrangement 40 within the first mount region 21 of thewiper arm rod 11 may be realized in a variety of ways, as will bediscussed in more detail below.

The cleaning arrangement 40 has, on the side averted from the wiper armhead 14, a front end face 41 which simultaneously forms an end face ofthe wiper arm 10. By way of example, in the region of the front end face41, there are arranged two first spray nozzles 42, 43, whose spray jets45, 46, which can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, are oriented so as to beinclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of thewiper arm carrier 11 in the direction of the vehicle window. It isfurthermore essential that the two first spray nozzles 42, 43 arearranged such that the spray jets 45, 46 can apply the cleaning fluid tothe vehicle window in front of different longitudinal sides of the wiperblade 1. Furthermore, by way of example, the cleaning arrangement 40has, in the region of its opposite longitudinal sides, in each case twosecond spray nozzles 47, 48 for the cleaning fluid, which spray nozzlesgenerate spray jets 49, 50 which are likewise oriented at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the wiper arm rod 11 in thedirection of the vehicle window, wherein the orientation is furthermorein the direction of the side averted from the wiper arm head 14.

For the supply of the cleaning fluid to the cleaning arrangement 40 viathe cleaning hoses 31, 32, the cleaning arrangement 40 has, on the sidefacing toward the wiper arm head 14 and in the region of its twolongitudinal sides, in each case one feed connector 51, onto which therespective cleaning hose 31, 32 is pushed. Furthermore, the two cleaninghoses 31, 32 have, as can be seen in particular when viewing FIG. 1 andFIG. 15 together, spray nozzles 162 for generating additional spray jets52 which are likewise directed toward the vehicle window and whichstrike the vehicle window on both sides of the wiper blade 1. A cleaningarrangement 40 as described up to this point makes it possible, togetherwith the two cleaning hoses 31, 32, and by way of a supply of cleaningfluid which is controlled in a manner dependent on the wiping direction53 of the wiper blade 1, for cleaning fluid to be applied to the vehiclewindow in each case in front of the longitudinal side of the wiper blade1 in the movement direction of the wiper blade 1.

The cleaning arrangement 40 has two side walls 54, 55 (FIG. 3) which, atleast in certain regions, run flush with the inner sides of the sidewalls 19, 20 of the wiper arm rod 11 in the region of the first mountregion 21. Furthermore, the cleaning arrangement 40 has athrough-opening 57. The cleaning arrangement 40 forms an additionalmount region 58 which is of approximately U-shaped form in cross sectionand which has an aperture in the region of the through-opening 57. Inparticular, the cleaning arrangement 40 which is received within thewiper arm 10 or the first mount region 21 serves for the fastening ofthe wiper blade 1. For this purpose, the wiper blade 1 has a wiper bladeadapter, only certain areas of which are illustrated in the figures, andwhich has a fastening arrangement 2.

The fastening arrangement 2 has, on the side facing toward the top side18 of the first mount region 21, a spring tongue 3 with an engagementbutton 4 which, in the mounted state of the wiper blade 1 or of thefastening arrangement 2 on the wiper arm 10, engages in positivelylocking fashion into an opening 5 formed in the top side 18 of the wiperarm 10. In particular, the engagement button 4 forms, together with theopening 5, an engagement connection between the wiper blade 1 and thewiper arm 10, by way of which engagement connection the wiper blade 1 orthe fastening arrangement 2 is secured on the wiper arm 10, wherein,after the engagement connection has been released, the wiper blade 1 canbe dismounted from the wiper arm 10, in particular in order to permit anexchange of the wiper blade.

As can be seen in particular from the illustration of FIGS. 1 and 4,both the fastening arrangement 2 and the cleaning arrangement 40 arearranged, at least in certain areas, within the first mount region 21 ofthe wiper arm 10 or of the wiper arm rod 11. Furthermore, in the mountedstate of the fastening arrangement 2, the additional mount region 58 ofthe cleaning arrangement 40 encompasses the fastening arrangement 2,whereas the first mount region 21 of the wiper arm 10 encompasses thecleaning arrangement 40. Corresponding to the illustration of FIGS. 1and 2, provision may also be made whereby the cleaning arrangement 40is, on the side facing toward the spray body 30, laterally covered incertain areas by the spray body 30, for example by way of two lugs 59,60 arranged on the spray body 30 on the longitudinal sides thereof.

On the basis of FIGS. 23 to 25, the connection between the fasteningarrangement 2 of the wiper blade 1 and the cleaning arrangement 40 willnow be discussed in more detail: here, FIG. 23 shows the fasteningarrangement 2 before the mounting thereof on the cleaning arrangement40. For the mounting of the fastening arrangement 2 on the cleaningarrangement 40, the fastening arrangement 2 is moved relative to thecleaning arrangement 40 in the direction of a first mounting direction61, which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wiperarm 10. FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate the state in which the fasteningarrangement 2 is arranged within the additional mount region 58 of thecleaning arrangement 40 and, there, can be moved no further in thedirection of the first mounting direction 61.

Subsequently, a relative movement of the fastening arrangement 2 withrespect to the cleaning arrangement 40 is performed in the direction ofa second mounting direction 62 (FIG. 24), wherein the second mountingdirection 62 runs perpendicular to the first mounting direction 61. Inthe final state illustrated in FIG. 25, the fastening arrangement 2 is(fully) mounted on the cleaning arrangement 40, wherein, at the sametime, the engagement button 4 of the fastening arrangement 2 is engagedwith the opening 5 on the top side 18 of the wiper arm 10 (not shown).

To form a guide between the fastening arrangement 2 and the cleaningarrangement 40 during the mounting along the two mounting directions 61,62, the fastening arrangement 2 and the cleaning arrangement 40 havefirst and second guide means 65, 66 which cooperate with one another.The first guide means 65 are for example formed, in the form of firstelevations 71 and second elevations 72, in the region of the cleaningarrangement 40, on the inner side of the two side walls 54, 55, whichare arranged parallel to one another, of the cleaning arrangement 40.The first elevations 71 are formed in the form of cams which, in theregion of a lower edge 73 of the cleaning arrangement 40, are arrangedwith a spacing A to one another. By contrast, the second elevation 72 isarranged in the region of a top edge 74 of the cleaning arrangement 40and has an elongated shape. In particular, the second elevation 72,which is arranged between the two first elevations 71 as viewed in thelongitudinal direction of the cleaning arrangement 40, simultaneouslyserves as an axial abutment for the fastening arrangement 2 when thelatter is inserted into the cleaning arrangement 40 in the direction ofthe first mounting direction 61.

The first elevations 71 on the cleaning arrangement 40 cooperate with ineach case one depression 75, 76 as second guide means 66, which areformed on in each case an outer side of a side wall 67, 68 of thefastening arrangement 2. In particular, the two depressions 75, 76 havein each case a width B slightly larger than a width b of the two firstelevations 71, such that, in the position of the fastening arrangement 2illustrated in FIG. 24, there is movement play 77 in the cleaningarrangement 40 in the direction of the second mounting direction 62. Thedepressions 75, 76 transition, in the direction of the top side, whichfaces toward the spring tongue 3, of the fastening arrangement 2, intoan elongated depression 78.

Viewed overall, the first and second guide means 65, 66 serve, duringthe mounting process, to guide the fastening arrangement 2 between thestarting position 80 illustrated in FIG. 24 and the end position 81illustrated in FIG. 25. Furthermore, by way of corresponding geometricdimensioning of the guide means 65, 66, it is ensured that the movementplay 77 that is initially provided in the starting position 80 isreduced to zero in the end position 81, that is to say the fasteningarrangement 2 is, in the end position 81, received without play withinthe cleaning arrangement 40. By way of the discussed geometricdimensioning, it is the case here that the movement play 77 decreasespreferably in continuous fashion between the starting position 80 andthe end position 81.

It can be seen in FIG. 23 that the fastening arrangement 2, which ispart of the wiper blade adapter (not illustrated) for the fastening ofthe wiper blade 1 to the wiper arm 10, has an opening 82 which forms anaxis of rotation 83, with the wiper blade 1 being mounted in thefastening arrangement 2 so as to be pivotable about said axis ofrotation. Furthermore, it can be seen that the first elevations 71 are,in relation to the additional mount region 58 in the cleaningarrangement 40 or in relation to the depressions 75, 76 of the fasteningarrangement 2, arranged at corner regions of the fastening arrangement 2and of the cleaning arrangement 40, wherein the axis of rotation 83 isarranged between the first elevations 71. Finally, it can be seen fromFIG. 23 and FIG. 25 that, by way of the depressions 75, 76 or thedelimiting surfaces 84, 85 thereof, in the end position 81, thedelimiting surfaces 84, 85 act as an abutment in order to limit therelative movement between the cleaning arrangement 40 and the fasteningarrangement 2.

Different fastening types between the cleaning arrangement 40 and thefirst mount region 21 on the wiper arm 10 or on the wiper arm rod 11will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. All of thefastening types have in common the fact that the cleaning arrangement 40is in each case directly connected to the wiper arm 10, FIGS. 5 and 6will be discussed first, from which figures it can be seen that theconnection between the cleaning arrangement 40 a and the wiper arm 10 ais realized by way of a bayonet connection 88. For this purpose, as canbe seen most clearly from FIG. 6, the wiper arm 10 a has, on the innerside of the two side walls 19, 20, two projections 89, 90 which arespaced apart from one another as viewed in the longitudinal direction.The projections 89, 90 cooperate with cutouts 91, 92 formed on thecleaning arrangement 40 a. Whereas the cutouts 91 formed in the regionof the side walls 54 a, 55 a of the cleaning arrangement 40 a aresituated in an approximately central region in relation to thelongitudinal extent of the cleaning arrangement 40 a, the cutouts 92 arearranged on the side averted from the front face end face 41 a, andterminate with an end face 93. Furthermore, the cutouts 91 are ofL-shaped form, whereas the cutouts 92 are in the form of elongatedcutouts. A bayonet connection 88 of said type enables the cleaningarrangement 40 a to be mounted on the wiper arm 10 a by virtue, forexample, of the wiper arm 10 a firstly being connected to the cleaningarrangement 40 a in the direction of the first mounting direction 61 a,wherein the projections 89 engage into the vertical part of the cutouts91. When the projections 89 bear against the underside of the cutouts91, a movement of the wiper arm 10 a takes place in the direction of thesecond mounting direction 62 a, wherein the projections 89, 90 cooperatewith the cutouts 91, 82 which are each oriented or arranged in thelongitudinal direction of the cleaning arrangement 40 a. The relativemovement between the wiper arm 10 a and the cleaning arrangement 40 a islimited by virtue of the projections 89, 90 bearing in each case againstthose delimitations of the cutouts 91, 92 which face toward the end face41 a. Here, the rear side 94 of a closure cap 95 which is connected byway of an engagement connection 96 to the cleaning arrangement 40 a isstill arranged with a minimal spacing to the front end face 97 of thewiper arm 10 a. To prevent an inadvertent detachment of the cleaningarrangement 40 a from the wiper arm 10 a, an engagement cam 87 isarranged with resilient action in the vertical section of the cutout 91.The engagement cam 87 projects into the movement travel of theprojection 89 and is pushed inward by said projection during theinsertion into the cutout 91. When the projection 89 is situated in thehorizontally arranged section of the cutout 91, the engagement cam 87springs back into its original position and forms an abutment for theprojection 89 in the event of a movement of the cleaning arrangement 40a counter to the direction of the mounting direction 62 a.

FIG. 7 illustrates the situation in which the wiper arm 10 b isconnected to the cleaning arrangement 40 b by way of an engagementconnection 98. For this purpose, the two side walls 54 b, 55 b of thecleaning arrangement 40 b have, in their upper region, in each case twoengagement cams 98 which are spaced apart from one another axially inrelation to the longitudinal direction of the cleaning arrangement 40 band which, from the position illustrated in FIG. 7, are elasticallydeformable for example into a position offset in the direction of theside walls 54 b, 55 b. In the region of the wiper arm 10 b, the latterhas, on the inner side of the two side walls 19, 20, projections whichare arranged, in FIG. 5, in overlap with the engagement cams 99(analogously to the projections 89, 90 in the case of the wiper arm 10a) and which, during the relative movement of the wiper arm 10 b in thedirection of the mounting direction 101 toward the cleaning arrangement40 b, cause the engagement cams 99 to be pushed in and to subsequentlybe locked to the wiper arm 10 b. Here, it is essential that, by way of acorresponding design of the engagement cams 99, easy release of thecleaning arrangement 40 b from the wiper arm 10 b is made possible.

The engagement connection 102 illustrated in FIG. 8 differs from theengagement connection 98 in that, on the cleaning arrangement 40 c, inthe region of the two side walls 54 c, 55 c, there are respectivelyarranged elongated barbs 103 which, in forming the engagement connection102, cooperate with the projections arranged in the region of the wiperarm 10 c in such a way that the engagement connection 102 can no longerbe released again.

FIG. 9 illustrates the situation in which the cleaning arrangement 40 dis connected to the wiper arm 10 d by way of a positively lockingconnection 105. The positively locking connection 105 has, on the wiperarm 10 d, elongated projections or guide elements 106, 107 which projectinward from the side was 19, 20 of said wiper arm and which cooperatewith counterpart elements in the form of groove-like, elongated cutouts108 in the region of the two side was 54 d, 55 d of the cleaningarrangement 40 d. It is thereby possible for the cleaning arrangement 40d to be inserted by way of a linear movement into the (open) crosssection of the first mount region 21 of the wiper arm 10 d in thedirection of the mounting direction 109, wherein the guide elements 106,107 pass into the cutouts 108 and, in so doing, fix the cleaningarrangement 40 d in a direction running perpendicular to the mountingdirection 109. The axial movement or the sliding-in movement of thecleaning arrangement 40 d is likewise limited by the rear side 94 of theclosure cap 95. Furthermore, in order to prevent the cleaningarrangement 40 d from inadvertently being pulled out of the wiper arm 10d, provision may be made for an engagement connection to be formedbetween the cleaning arrangement 40 d and, for example, the spray body30, for which purpose, for example, the cleaning arrangement 40 d hasengagement hooks 110.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, a further detail of the pivotable fastening of thewiper blade 1 to the wiper arm 10 will now be discussed. In particular,it can be seen on the basis of FIG. 10 that the wiper blade 1, inparticular the wiper blade body 115 thereof, is connected by way of awiper blade adapter to the wiper arm 10 or to the cleaning arrangement40, which, aside from the fastening arrangement 2, has an adapterelement 116 which is fastened to the wiper blade body 115 and which ispivotably connected to the fastening arrangement 2 in the region of thethrough-opening 57 of the fastening arrangement 2. The adapter element116 has a length V as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the wiperblade 1.

To make it possible for the wiper blade 1 to be pivoted through as greatas possible a pivot angle in the direction of the double arrow 117 (FIG.10) relative to the wiper arm 10, the wiper arm 10, in particular thecleaning arrangement 40, has two elongated cutouts 118, 119 which can beseen in FIG. 11. The two cutouts 118, 119 each have a length X slightlygreater than the length Y of the adapter element 116. In particular, inthe mounted state of the wiper blade 1 on the cleaning arrangement 40,the adapter element 11$ projects into the two cutouts 118, 119. Asviewed over their length, the two cutouts 118, 119 each have an at leastsubstantially constant cross section. They proceed from the underside120 of the cleaning arrangement 40 and project into the side walls 54,55 of the cleaning arrangement 40 at the inner side thereof. Inparticular, provision may be made whereby, correspondingly to theillustration of FIG. 11, the depth t of the respective cutout 118, 119increases slightly on the side facing toward the first spray nozzles 42,43 in order to increase the possible pivot angle of the adapter element116.

Viewing FIGS. 10 and 11 together, it can furthermore be seen that thetwo feed connectors 51 of the cleaning arrangement 40 are situatedapproximately at the level of the cutout 118, 119, in the same way asthe two first spray nozzles 42, 43. FIG. 10 shows a connecting duct 121which connects a feed connector 51 to a first spray nozzle 42 or 43. Theconnecting duct 121 runs, in the region of the cutout 118, 119, at leastapproximately parallel to the cutout 118, 119 and is hydraulicallyconnected to the respective first spray nozzle 42, 43 and to therespective feed connector 51 by way of a section 122 of curved form.

From FIG. 11, it can also be seen that the two side walls 54, 55 of thecleaning arrangement 40 are, on both sides of the cutouts 118, 119,connected to one another by way of two transverse connecting elements124, 125 which permit stiffening of the cleaning arrangement 40, whereinthe two transverse connecting elements 124, 125 are arranged outside thefurther mount region 58 for the fastening arrangement 2 or the adapterelement 116.

Below, the arrangement of a heating element in the form of a heatingwire 130, which extends within the cleaning arrangement 40, will bediscussed with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. For this purpose, thecleaning arrangement 40 has a main body 131 which is connected by way ofthe closure cap 95, as already described above, by way of the engagementconnection 98. The engagement connection 95 has, on the closure cap 95,an engagement hook 132 which, in the locking position, cooperates withtwo counterpart engagement elements 133, 134 arranged on both sides ofthe engagement hook 132. In particular, the closure cap 95 serves, inthe installed state of the cleaning arrangement 40 on the wiper arm 10,to close off, in a surface-flush manner, the first mount region 21,which is open at the and side, of the wiper arm 10.

From FIG. 13, it can be seen that the two feed connectors 51 areconnected to the respective first spray nozzle 42, 43 by way of theconnecting duct 121. From the connecting duct 121, in the transitionregion to the section 122, there extends in each case one branch 135with a section 137, wherein the section 137 forms a rectilinearelongation of a longitudinal axis 136 of the connecting duct 121. Inthis way, the section 122 runs at an angle α with respect to thelongitudinal axis 136. On the side averted from the branch 135, thesection 137 has a mouth region 139 which opens out within a connectingchamber 140 formed between the closure cap 95 and the main body 131. Thesection 137 or the mouth region 139 furthermore forms a feed port 141 inthe connecting chamber 140.

Within the two connecting ducts 121, between the respective feedconnector 51 and the branch 135 and within the two sections 137 and inthe connecting chamber 140, the (single) heating wire 130 is led atleast substantially horizontally. For this purpose, the heating wire 130is, in the region of the connecting chamber 140, arranged in the form ofa loop 142 below the two counterpart engagement elements 133, 134, inorder to make it possible for the engagement hook 132 to interact,without making contact with the heating wire 130, with the twocounterpart engagement elements 133, 134.

To hydraulically seal off the section 137 in order that no cleaningfluid can pass into the region of the connecting chamber 140, it is forexample the case that a seal element 143 or a seal compound 144 isarranged within the respective mouth region 139. Furthermore, provisionmay be made whereby the connecting chamber 140 itself is alsohydraulically sealed off to the outside by way of correspondingmeasures. It is also pointed out that the feed port 141 is of tubularform, or has a hollow cross section, in the region of the connectingchamber 140.

For the mounting of the heating wire 130 in the cleaning arrangement 40,the heating wire 130 is laid in the main body 131 corresponding to theillustration in FIG. 13. It is pointed out, merely in supplementaryfashion, that the heating wire 130 is also arranged or led within thecleaning hoses 31, 32 in order to heat these as well as the cleaningarrangement 40. After the mounting of the heating wire 130 in the mainbody 131, it is the case, corresponding to the illustration of FIG. 14,that the closure cap 95 is connected by way of the engagement connection96 to the main body 131 in order to close off the connecting chamber 140or the main body 131.

A detail regarding the fastening or guidance of the two cleaning hoses31, 32 in the region of the spray body 30, which is in the form of amoulded part, will be discussed in more detail below in FIG. 15. Inparticular, the spray body 30 is at least substantially formed over theentire length of the two cleaning hoses 31, 32 in the region of thewiper arm rod 11. The spray body 30 is connected to the wiper arm rod 11by way of an engagement connection 150. For this purpose, the spray body30, which has approximately a U-shaped cross section, has two grooves151, 152 which run in a longitudinal direction and into which inwardlyprojecting sections 153, 154 of the cross section of the wiper arm rod11 engage in positively locking fashion and fix the spray body 30 to thewiper arm rod 11 in a direction running perpendicular to itslongitudinal extent.

On the underside averted from the wiper arm rod 11, the spray body 30has in each case one mount 155 for receiving the respective cleaninghose 31, 32 in positively locking fashion, having in each case oneinsertion slot 156, the opening width w of which is slightly smallerthan the cross section of the cleaning hose 31, 32 in the unloaded stateof the cleaning hose 31, 32, such that the respective cleaning hose 31,32 is held in the mount 155 by way of a clamping action.

The cleaning hose 31, 32, which is formed from a plastics material as anextruded part, has the same cross section over its entire length. Inparticular, the cross section of the cleaning hose 31, 32 within themount 155 is characterized in that the cleaning hose 31, 32 has anon-circular region 158. The non-circular region 158 is formed by twoplanar outer wall sections 159, 160 which are arranged at an angle βwith respect to one another. Such a design of the cleaning hose 31, 32has the effect that said cleaning hose is not only held within the mount155 by way of a clamping action but also assumes a position with a fixedangle of rotation. For the positively locking mounting of the cleaninghose 31, 32, the mount 155 thereof is furthermore of identical butinverse design with respect to the outer contour of the cleaning hose31, 32, wherein the angle β between the two outer wall sections 159, 160is at most 90°.

The cleaning hoses 31, 32 have, in particular, multiple spray nozzles162 which are arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another in thelongitudinal direction at uniform intervals and which are in the form ofthrough-openings for forming the additional spray jets 52 (FIG. 1). Thespray nozzles 162 are situated in the region of the insertion slot 156.Between the two mounts 155 for the two cleaning hoses 31, 32, the spraybody 30 forms a mount region 161 for the wiper blade 1 (not illustratedin FIG. 15). In this way, by way of a corresponding supply of thecleaning fluid to the two cleaning hoses 31, 32, it is possible, in amanner dependent on the movement direction of the wiper blade 1 or ofthe wiper arm 10, for cleaning fluid to be applied to the vehicle windowin each case in front of the wiper blade 1 by way of the spray nozzles162. As already discussed above, the cleaning hoses 31, 32 are in turnconnected to the cleaning arrangement 40, which has the first and secondspray nozzles 42, 43 and 47, 48.

FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate further details of the wiper arm 10 or of thewiper arm rod 11 which serves as carrier element, of the spray body 30which is designed and/or acts as an auxiliary element, and of the wiperblade 1. In particular, it can be seen from FIG. 18 that the spray body30 has two air-guiding sections 166, 167 which extend in thelongitudinal direction of the wiper arm 10 or of the wiper arm rod 11and which are arranged parallel to one another and which project beyondthe underside 168 of the wiper arm rod 11 on the side facing toward thevehicle window. In particular, from FIG. 18, it can also be seen thatthe two air-guiding sections 166, 167 are designed to be of differentheights, such that, on the front side of the wiper arm 10 or of thewiper arm rod 11 in relation to a direction of travel, the air-guidingsection 166 projects further from the underside 168 of the wiper arm rod11 or of the wiper arm 10 than the air-guiding section 167 on the rearside of the wiper arm 10. Furthermore, the two air-guiding sections 166,167 are, at least at the regions which project from the underside 168 ofthe wiper arm carrier 11, arranged at an oblique angle γ in relation toa vertically arranged longitudinal plane of the wiper arm 10. In atransition region 171 to the wiper arm rod 11, the two-air-guidingsections 166, 167 terminate at the outer side of the wiper arm rod 11 soas to be flush with the surface of the wiper arm rod 11.

Corresponding to the illustration of FIG. 17, the spray body 30 has asubstantially U-shaped cross section with a base section 172 whichconnects the two air-guiding sections 166, 167, wherein the base section172 has multiple cutouts or through-openings 173 which run in thelongitudinal direction of the spray body 30 and which are at leastapproximately rectangular. The through-openings 173 are aligned withopenings 174 on the wiper arm carrier 11, as can be seen in particularfrom FIG. 18, wherein the openings 174 are of at least approximately thesame size as the through-openings 173.

Finally, FIGS. 19 to 22 illustrate the guidance and fastening of the twocleaning hoses 31, 32 in the region of the wiper arm head 14 in moredetail. In particular, it can be seen that the wiper arm head 14 has, inthe region between the first end region 178, in which thethrough-opening 15 for the drive shaft is arranged, and the second endregion 179, in which the wiper arm rod 11 is pivotably fastened, meansfor guiding the two cleaning hoses 31, 32. Said means comprise inparticular in each case one leadthrough 181, 182 in the form of alongitudinal slot for each cleaning hose 31, 32. The longitudinal slotor the leadthrough 181, 182 has, as viewed toward the outer contour 185of the wiper arm head 14, an opening 186 through which the respectivecleaning hose 31, 32 can be inserted. While the cleaning hose 31, 32 isguided along the top side 187 of the wiper arm head 14 on the sidefacing toward the first and region 178, said cleaning hose is arrangedabove the underside 188 of the wiper arm head 14 on the side facingtoward the second end region 179.

From FIGS. 19 and 22, it can also be seen that the means for guiding thetwo cleaning hoses 31, 32 furthermore additionally have guideprojections 190. The guide projections 190 are integrally formed on thewiper arm head 14, which is composed of aluminium (alternativelyplastic) and which is in the form of an injection-moulded part, and havethe effect that the two cleaning hoses 31, 32 run laterally within theouter contour 185 of the wiper arm head 14, in particular in order toalso permit simple fastening of the closure cap 16 on the wiper arm head14. The closure cap 16, which has substantially a U-shaped crosssection, has side walls 192, 193 which terminate flush with sidesurfaces 194, 195 of the wiper arm head 14.

Furthermore, it can be seen in particular from FIG. 21 that the twoleadthroughs 181, 182 are arranged offset one behind the other inrelation to a longitudinal axis 191 of the wiper arm head 14.

The second end region 179 has an eyelet 197 for forming a pivot axis198. Furthermore, the means for guiding the cleaning hoses 31, 32 havetwo projections 201, 202 which, as viewed in the longitudinal direction,project beyond the eyelet 197 on the side situated opposite the firstend region 178. Between the two projections 201, 202, there is arrangeda bridging spring 203 which is bent into a C shape and which in turn isconnected, on the side averted from the second and region 179, to atension spring 205 by way of which the wiper arm rod 11 is pulledtogether with the wiper blade 1 in the direction of the vehicle windowwith a pressing force. The wiper arm head 14 has, below the eyelet 197,a guide channel 206 for the cleaning hose 31, 32, which guide channelguides the cleaning hose 31, 32 so as to be spaced apart from the eyelet197. It is finally pointed out that the two leadthroughs 181, 182 arearranged within the lateral outer contour 185 of the wiper arm head 14.

The wiper device 100 thus described may be altered or modified in avariety of ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

-   1 Wiper blade-   2 Fastening arrangement-   3 Spring tongue-   4 Engagement button-   5 Opening-   10 /a/b/c/d Wiper arm-   11 Wiper arm rod-   12 Pin-   13 Sleeve-   14 Wiper arm head-   15 Through-opening-   16 Closure cap-   17 Wiper arm axis-   18 Top side of the wiper arm rod-   19 Side wall of the wiper arm rod-   20 Side wall of the wiper arm rod-   21 First mount region-   22 Second mount region-   30 Spray body-   31 Cleaning hose-   32 Cleaning hose-   40 /a/b/c/d Cleaning arrangement-   41 /a Front end face-   42 First spray nozzle-   43 First spray nozzle-   45 Spray jet-   46 Spray jet-   47 Second spray nozzle-   48 Second spray nozzle-   49 Spray jet-   50 Spray jet-   51 Feed connector-   52 Additional spray jet-   53 Wiping direction-   54/a/b/c/d Side wall-   55 /a/b/c/d Side wall-   57 Through-opening-   58 Additional mount region-   59 Lug-   60 Lug-   61 /a First mounting direction-   62 /a Second mounting direction-   65 First guide means-   66 Second guide means-   67 Side wall-   68 Side wall-   71 First elevation-   72 Second elevation-   73 Bottom edge of the cleaning arrangement-   74 Top edge of the cleaning arrangement-   75 Depression-   76 Depression-   77 Movement play-   78 Elongate depression-   80 Starting position-   81 End position-   82 Opening-   83 Axis of rotation-   84 Delimiting surface of the depression-   85 Delimiting surface of the depression-   87 Engagement cam-   88 Bayonet connection-   89 Projection-   90 Projection-   91 Cutout-   92 Cutout-   93 End side-   94 Rear side of a closure cap-   95 Closure cap-   96 Engagement connection-   97 End face-   98 Engagement connection-   99 Engagement cam-   100 Wiper device-   101 Mounting direction-   102 Engagement connection-   103 Barb-   105 Positively locking connection-   106 Guide element-   107 Guide element-   108 Cutouts-   109 Mounting direction-   110 Engagement hook-   115 Wiper blade body-   116 Adapter element-   117 Double arrow-   118 Cutout-   119 Cutout-   120 Bottom side of the cleaning arrangement-   121 Connecting duct-   122 Curved section-   124 Transverse connecting element-   125 Transverse connecting element-   130 Heating wire-   131 Main body-   132 Engagement hook-   133 Counterpart engagement element-   134 Counterpart engagement element-   135 Branch-   136 Longitudinal axis-   137 Section-   139 Mouth region-   140 Connecting chamber-   141 Feed port-   142 Loop-   143 Seat element-   144 Seal compound-   150 Engagement connection-   151 Groove-   152 Groove-   153 Section-   154 Section-   155 Mount-   156 insertion slot-   158 Non-circular region-   159 Outer wall section-   160 Outer wall section-   161 Mount region-   162 Spray nozzle-   166 Air-guiding section-   167 Air-guiding section-   168 Underside of the wiper arm carrier-   171 Transition region-   172 Base section-   173 Through-openings-   174 Opening-   178 First end region-   179 Second end region-   181 Leadthrough-   182 Leadthrough-   185 Outer contour of the wiper arm head-   186 Opening-   187 Top side of the wiper arm head-   188 Bottom side of the wiper arm head-   190 Guide projection-   191 Longitudinal axis of the wiper arm head-   192 Side wall of the closure cap-   193 Side wall of the closure cap-   194 Side surface of the wiper arm head-   195 Side surface of the wiper arm head-   197 Eyelet-   198 Pivot axis-   201 Projection-   202 Projection-   203 Bridging spring-   205 Tension spring-   206 Guide channel-   A Spacing-   B Width of the depressions-   b Width-   L Length-   l Length-   t Depth-   w Opening width-   Y Length-   X Length-   α Angle-   β Angle-   γ Angle

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wiper arm for cleaning a vehicle window,comprising: a carrier element connected at a first end region at leastindirectly with a drive shaft and at another end region with a wiperblade; and an additional element connected with the carrier element thatextends longitudinally inside and below the carrier element of the wiperarm, wherein the additional element has at least one air guide section,wherein the at least one air guide section projects beyond an undersideof the carrier element on a side facing the vehicle window and extendslongitudinally along an entire length of the carrier element, whereinthe additional element has a U-shaped cross section with two parallelside walls delimiting an opened housing facing the vehicle window, inwhich, in a position of use, the wiper blade extends, and wherein theadditional element extends longitudinally along the entire length of thecarrier element such that the additional element extends from the firstend region with the drive shaft to the another end region with the wiperblade.
 2. The wiper arm according to claim 1, wherein two air guidesections are provided which are arranged parallel to one another.
 3. Thewiper arm according to claim 2, wherein the air guide sections areconstructed having different heights, such that in relation to adirection of travel, on a front side of the wiper arm the air guidesection projects further from the underside of the carrier element thanthe air guide section on the rear side of the wiper arm.
 4. The wiperarm according to claim 1, wherein the at least one air guide section ina transition region to the carrier element on an outer side terminatesin a surface-flush manner with the carrier element.
 5. The wiper armaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one air guide section isarranged, at least on the region projecting from the underside of thecarrier element, at an oblique angle with respect to a vertical.
 6. Thewiper arm according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped cross-section ofthe additional element has a base section, and wherein through-openingsare formed in the base section.
 7. The wiper arm according to claim 6,wherein the through-openings on the additional element are aligned withopenings on the carrier element.
 8. The wiper arm according to claim 1,wherein the at least one air guide section on the side facing thevehicle window has a mount receiving a hose carrying a cleaning fluid byform-fitting engagement.
 9. The wiper arm according to claim 8, whereinthe hose has several spray openings for a cleaning fluid.
 10. The wiperarm according to claim 1, wherein the additional element consists ofplastic and is connected with the carrier element by a snap-onconnection.
 11. The wiper arm according to claim 1, wherein on a sidefacing the wiper blade a cleaning arrangement, connected to the carrierelement, with at least one spray nozzle, adjoins directly onto theadditional element.
 12. A wiper arm for cleaning a vehicle window,comprising: a carrier element connected at a first end region at leastindirectly with a drive shaft and at another end region with a wiperblade; and an additional element connected with the carrier element thatextends longitudinally inside the carrier element of the wiper arm,wherein the additional element has at least one air guide section,wherein the at least one air guide section projects beyond an undersideof the carrier element on a side facing the vehicle window and extendslongitudinally along the entire length of the carrier element, whereinthe additional element has a U-shaped cross section with two parallelside walls delimiting an opened housing facing the vehicle window, inwhich, in a position of use, the wiper blade extends, wherein the atleast one air guide section on the side facing the vehicle window has amount for receiving a hose carrying a cleaning fluid by form-fittingengagement, wherein on a side facing the wiper blade a cleaningarrangement, connected to the carrier element, with at least one spraynozzle, extends longitudinally inside the carrier element and adjoinsdirectly onto the additional element, and wherein the hose of theadditional element is connected to the cleaning arrangement and isconfigured to supply the cleaning fluid into the cleaning arrangement.